Brett Benson

Co-Director, Director of Photography

ABOUT THE FILM

“Everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit.” —Joe Lewis

Logline: A production crew is shooting a beer commercial in an open bar, but when drunk patrons interrupt filming, the film crew and bar regulars decide to settle their differences with their fists in an epic bar fight.

HARD OUT is a short film that showcases the talents of the Pacific Northwest film community. Everyone on the team - actors, stunt performers, writers, cinematographers, directors, and production crew - are excited to bring this rollicking story to life.

HARD OUT is a story with everything: drama, comedy, action, suspense - and beer! Shooting this film, with its intricately choreographed fight scenes, will make a great addition to everyone’s professional demo reels. And ultimately, no matter what role we play in the production of HARD OUT, we are all passionate about filmmaking.

We’d like you to be a part of the HARD OUT team, too! We can use everyone’s support, whether it’s contributing to our gofundme campaign, attending our fun (and stunt-filled) promotional events, or simply sharing the word about HARD OUT on social media.

Thanks for visiting our page, and stay tuned for updates!

THE TEAM

“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”—Benjamin Franklin

Brett Benson

Co-Director & Director of Photography

Brett Benson is the creative director for the company Devblock where he designs, builds, and tests the latest generation of digital products. In his free time, Brett is a passionate filmmaker and photographer who spends his weekends traveling the Pacific Northwest with his wife in search of new inspiration. Recently, he has started the company Hard Out Media with his business partner Ben Leiataua, where they aspire to continue producing unconventional and off-the-wall narrative film projects.

Ben Leiataua

Co-Director, Executive Producer, Actor

Ben Leiataua Jr. is a Program Manager for the non-profit organization, Rainier Arts Center, a program of SEEDArts and a freelance graphics and production designer. Ben decided to quit his cushy marketing job in 2012 to pursue the performing arts in earnest. He's a versatile actor/singer and wannabe stunt performer. He purposefully surrounds himself with ridiculously talented people to make his job easier. HARD OUT will be his directorial debut.

Trina Griffin

Assistant Director

Trina Griffin a film student at Shoreline Community College. Mother of four and Grandmother of 9. She has been working in the film community since 1998 here in Seattle and in California as, a production assistant, grip, production and set designer, editor, actor, writer, 1st and 2nd assistant director and recently a Volunteer Coordinator of the Seattle 2019 Film Summit. I have a dream to bring a strong thriving film industry to the Seattle area.

Peter 'Drago' Tiemann

Stunt Coordinator

Peter ‘Drago’ Tiemann is proud to call the PNW his home and has worked as a stunt performer and coordinator here since 2001. He is the Co-Chair of the PNW SAG-AFTRA Stunt and Safety Committee. He is committed to expanding Washington’s film scene and Co-Founded a Production company to bring projects to the PNW.

Peter Spawn

Production Design & Props Master

Peter Spawn was born out of stardust that was gathered by a strange gelatinous creature from a distant world. By the age of three he was voted Lord High Supreme Commander and Chief Defender of the Universe. After a short, brutal, and decisive battle he defeated the Evil Salamander king from the M84 Galaxy. In 2001 he was voted in as Emperor of 3/4th s the known Universe and Everything. And has now ruled over a dynamic and successful universe and everything till present day. To date he has never been wrong, and he is loved by everyone that is normal.

Duncan Star-Boszko

Writer, Costume Designer, Actor

Duncan is an award-winning writer, production designer, actor, and producer. Originating from Maryland, he approaches his craft with the direct mindset of an East Coaster, but with the casual positivity of the West. His work ethic is paramount, focusing on collaboration and thematic goals. He’s willing to launch into a deep conversation about how each element brings something important to the story, as long as you buy him a coffee.

Chris Kirkmont

Writer

Chris Kirkmont is a screenwriter, director, and producer, winning several awards in film festivals spanning the U.S., Europe and Central America. He is also a creative director in the advertising industry, producing TV spots and video campaigns for companies like Microsoft, Uber, Sony, and T-Mobile.

Christina Perry

Script Supervisor

After traversing the courageous world of social work, Christina ditched her former career to pursue a whole other beast: filmmaking. In her spare time she enjoys making magic happen (motion design), making stuff up (writing), telling people what to do (directing), and pointing her camera at things (videography). Additionally, she has filled other roles on set including Assistant Director, Grip, Scripty, and 2nd AC.

William Eisley

Camera Team

William Eisley is an award winning video producer, cinematographer and editor with 12 years professional experience. He has worked on multiple narrative films, as well as corporate and commercial video. In his time as a video producer, William has made over 70 viral videos for over 250 million views.

Frances Tia Baker

Camera Team

Frances has operated under several lenses, successfully running her own headshot business, working hard under pressure as camera operator for Bollywood productions, and taking the lead as costume designer for period-aesthetic film. A quick focus-puller, with a good eye for art design, Frances is calm and creative under pressure and takes zero shit behind camera. What more can you expect from a Swedish woman?

Preston Standiferd

Camera Team

Preston Standiferd is not just any Captain America fan, he is THE Captain America fan.

He is also a cinematographer and gaffer from New Mexico and is ready for the world to see what he's capable of. He has lived in the PNW for over a year and will do whatever he can to help others and bring a production to its fullest potential. His latest film "The Red Paint" just recently got into the Interbay International Film Festival. If you want to watch it, follow him @Captain.Preston on YouTube and Instagram.

Adam Rosencrantz

Gaffer, Unit Production Manager

Adam Rosencrantz has a diverse background in video, film, and creative production. Entering the field working for an NBC affiliate; performing on-air camera operation and general production assistance.

After attending the Art Institute of Seattle, he was a Multimedia Developer for a locally based, global simulation company. Traveling the country and world, working with Law Enforcement and military to design, shoot, and edit interactive training simulation video. Seeing a need for better marketing collateral, he worked closely with the Marketing team to develop, design, and deploy corporate and product focused materials for use in Sales, trade shows, and other campaigns.

Deciding to branch out and apply his experience to a different market, he moved to an industry leading telematics company as a Sr. Multimedia and Training Specialist. There he assisted the marketing team with video production needs which included shooting and editing marketing pieces. IN addition to the video production, he also functioned as the corporate photographer for events, marketing collateral, and customer testimonials. He was also charged with maintaining internal and external training materials, including help related resources such as videos and documentation for the companies product lines.

Most recently, he manages a local performing arts center where he is able to be creative and support the arts.

He is able to continue his video and film production work through various projects such as Hard Out and other small, independent productions. He has had the pleasure of working with several teams on the 48-hour film challenge and helping others visions come to life on the big screen. Including projects that have screened and won awards internationally.

Nicky Smit

Key Grip

Nicky Smit is here to kick ass and manipulate light. He's been working commercially as a grip for just over two years, and is excited to punch some scum on Hard Out as key grip. He also likes to cook and is learning aerial yoga.

Bob Freeman

Sound Operator, Actor

Bob Freeman is a swiss army knife kind of guy in the world of arts production. He is at home editing, recording location sound, key gripping, directing, recording in his studio, effects supervising and many other technicalities. He founded the Seattle Filmmakers' Collective (they meet 1st Wednesdays at St Andrews Pub). He also loves to play dead guys in movies.

Tressie Butler

Hair & Makeup Artist, Actor

Tressie is the master when it comes to beauty. Sprinkling beauty and health as a full time esthetician in Seattle/Tacoma areas for almost 12 years. Tressie has no plans to slow down or to ever stop helping others. She hopes to become a well known name in the beauty industry.

Stephanie LynnMarie

2nd Assistant Director

Stephanie is a wife and mother to three gorgeous children. She is also an aspiring actress and has studied under some great teachers here in the Pacific Northwest including Tony Doupe, Mighty Tripod, and Freehold. Recently she has stepped into the role of 2nd AD and is excited to be able to learn new things and master her new responsibilities. Her end goal is to be able to enrich her life and the Seattle area using her creativity and life skills.

Jerome Rhett

Production Assistant

Jerome Rhett is an aspiring artist, music producer, and all-around creative. He got his start in the art field for a few years before shifting over to film at the Art Institute of Seattle. He now spends his creative talents making beautiful laser shows at The Laserdome at the Pacific Science Center and is excited for what creative ventures await him in the future.

Rainee Taylor

Social Media, Art Department

Rainee Taylor is a digital marketing professional by day, an aspiring tv writer by night, and a storyteller all the time. She’s worked on several short films in the Seattle area, including 48 Hour Film Festival audience favorite favorite, “Drunk Britney.” She’s a proud Colorado native living (and mainly watching Parks and Recreation) in the Pacific Northwest.

Abby Pierce

Production Assistant

Abby Pierce is a Jill-of-all-trades who makes things up as she goes. She has been trained as a theatre actor, and enjoys being on stage, in front of a camera and behind the camera. She has 2 adorable daughters and can be found giving infamous Underground Tours on the weekends.

Cris Mascarella

Camera Department

Cris Mascarella is a filmmaking student at Shoreline Community College who is hungry for all the experience he can get or create. He loves most roles on set, though he is most passionate about camera work. Since his time studying film at Ballard High School, he’s had work featured in various local and national film festivals across Washington state and won a couple of awards.

Kurt McKibben

Stunt performer, Actor

Kurt McKibben has been involved in theater and screen acting since childhood. The past 13 years have been spent choreographing and performing fight scenes, specializing in hand to hand weapons. From rapier to lightsaber, nunchucks to staves, the action always is fun and exciting when you diversify your fights.

Sam Schragel

Stunt Performer, Actor

Bio here.

Carin Nateal

Stunt Performer, Actor

Carin Nateal is a Seattle based stunt actress born and backwoods raised in WA. Her life has revolved around physical fitness from early childhood, participating in youth and high school sports, being voted 'Most Inspirational' by her alumni. She has been employed since age 13. She began practicing yoga at age 16.

She served her country in the U.S. Navy as a Master-At-Arms, Honor Guard Bugler, Weapons Escort Driver and Executive Protection Detail, receiving the achievement of Expert Pistol Shot, making rank of E-5 within 4 years. Her military duty called her to destinations such as Bahrain, Dubai, Guam, and several European countries.

Carin is a Cheryl Ananda Academy of Yoga 200 Hour Yoga Instructor and National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer through National Personal Training Institute. She holds a degree in Medical Radiography as a practicing Radiologic Technologist. She has been featured in commercials and indie films with her most recent work in 2019 as Stunt Coordinator on an indie feature film titled 'Maysville.'

Carin is an alumni of the John Zimmerman Stunt Camp and Atlanta's A-Town Throwdown. Her stunt training is continuous in various fields such as body burn training, mixed martial arts, falls, and weapon fight choreography.

Carin's lifelong work ethic and enthusiasm has served her well to serve the PNW as a stunt actress.

http://www.carinnateal.com/

Michael Crowley

Stunt Performer, Actor

Most recently appearing as a regular character (and several supporting ones) on SPACE 101.1 FM's improvised weekly radio drama series/podcast "Broken, Alaska", Michael has also been recently seen as "McGraw" in the locally-produced short film “AFK” as well as the webseries “Seattle Freeze” (currently in post-production). Michael describes himself as a "surprisingly sophisticated country boy", which is a shorter way of saying that he's a musician, writer, singer, and martial artist as well as being an actor.

A native of Missoula, Montana, Michael has been calling Seattle home for 30 years and has worked with local filmmakers Clare Chun, Tonjia Atomic and Andrew Tribolini as well as appearing with Greenstage (most recently as Cardinal Richelieu and several sword-swinging character parts in "The Three Musketeers", True Edge Theater and others. His background includes 5 1/2 years of training as an actor/combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors, 2 years as a competitive fencer, and 19 years of training in the martial arts. He's choreographed and instructed youth in the art of staged combat at Tacoma Musical Playhouse and at Lakewood Institute of Theater, in addition to private coaching.

Lance Caver

Stunt Performer, Actor

Lance Caver is a professional actor and writer. Lance has worked in TV series, short films and has landed main roles in shows and movies. He also has experience working on both small and large films. Along with acting on the big screen he is also known for his voice over work in Jolene Loraines "Night Hawk" audio book series.

Lance also while deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom kept strict journals during his 2 back to back tours that is contributing to the writing of his true life story "The Interpreters Infidel" and how he met his wife, a local Iraqi interpreter of Baghdad and their struggle to be together and get her out of Iraq alive avoiding execution and to the United States so they could be married and live a peaceful life together.
Lance is very comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera and on sets. He has a very good sense of timing which comes from doing close up camera work. His voice and indeed the characters he can play can be anything from load and cruel to trusting and happy.

Lance along with his wide divers Military training to include hand to hand combat, advance firearms/ sniper instructor and tracking skills from the desert to the mountains and the thick heavy forests. He is a well trained fisherman, hunter and survivalist with a combat medical background. While mobilized to Iraq from 2003 thru 2006 he also experienced heavy live fire combat with extreme high risk situations in real life. So he is able to preform many of his own stunts and fight scenes. Lance can play a very wide spectrum of characters, thus adding realism to these type of scenes as required by the director.